Straight North

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Before hiring Straight North, our automotive consulting firm site did not register on any rankings. We were on the 98th page on Google. A month after Straight North launched the site, we jumped to the second page of almost every key web search. We have not put any additional money into SEO or PPC, yet our rankings continue to improve.

The head-hunting agency site has not launched yet, but customers regularly provide positive feedback on the automotive consulting firm site. They praise the clean and unique design. We have received many inquiries about who built the site.

How did Straight North perform from a project management standpoint?

Straight North is incredibly accommodating of our small, busy company. We have made significant progress because they instill deadlines and regularly follow up. They cater to our demanding schedule and needs. We communicate online and via conference calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The automotive consulting firm site’s initial metrics have exceeded our expectations. Straight North has done a fantastic job capturing my company’s vision. Once we provided a brief description of what we wanted, Straight North handled everything and performed very well on their own.

We are extremely pleased with the automotive consulting firm site and are looking forward to the head-hunting agency’s site launch.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I cannot think of anything.

Any advice for potential customers?

Provide as much vision and context to Straight North, and they will take care of the rest.  

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Before we hired them, our cost per conversion was at an astronomical rate of $1200. After they came in and modified our key messaging and digital ad strategies, our average cost per conversion dropped to $365. 

How did Straight North perform from a project management standpoint?

Straight North is one of the most transparent and responsive companies that I’ve had the pleasure to work with. We didn’t know what to expect when it came to setting deadlines, so we relied on them heavily for scheduling. They stayed true to the suggested timeline and kept us updated along the way with biweekly phone conferences. Their project manager was very responsive to our needs and always had an answer for our inquiries. It was also nice to have their PPC specialist present during the meetings; he gave feedback on all of our business ideas, even for matters outside of the scope.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their work was integral to our success, so I hold their optimizations in high regard. Straight North used their knowledge to transform how our team thought about PPC campaigns. They cleaned up our AdWords account and helped us focus on what was most important for our business.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They spent a significant amount of time conducting tests on material that they had already observed during the onboarding process. They should keep a record of their results so that they can refer to them and avoid redundant evaluations.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have an honest conversation with your team. Map out what you hope to accomplish and how much you’re willing to spend. When we reached out to Straight North, we didn’t have a solid plan. One of the biggest disservices we did to Straight North was changing directions halfway through the project. Had we gone into the project knowing that we should spend our efforts on content-driven campaigns, we would have seen great results instantly.

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

In the year that we’ve worked with Straight North, we’ve received more new customer orders than any of our previous years. Our website traffic has increased, our rankings have improved, and we have a stronger digital presence, which has definitely brought in a significant number of new clients.

How did Straight North perform from a project management standpoint?

We have a monthly teleconference to discuss the project and any updates or issues. Straight North is very friendly, yet they maintain a sense of professionalism in their work. Our partnership is very collaborative. We continuously send suggestions back and forth until we agree.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Overall, the entire experience has been positive. All of their work brings value to our business. I appreciate the way they handle the project and their high level of communication.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There are no areas for Straight North to improve because they are already so open to change. We consistently have discussions if we find that any element of the partnership needs to be tweaked.

Any advice for potential customers?

The technical terms involved in a project like this are pretty easy to pick up with a little bit of research. I recommend clients try to learn some of this language to get a better grasp of the type of services that Straight North is providing. This will result in a more efficient collaboration.

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

One key metric we measure with these initiatives is the gross margin for the ROI across all paid channels. We’re generating four times what we spend on search and about two times on margin.

How did Straight North perform from a project management standpoint?

We have monthly strategy calls and weekly optimization meetings with Straight North. We have a weekly cadence for everything that needs to be done. We can also address anything that comes up in-between, like strategy discussions, planning new campaigns, implementing new tracking code, or creating new landing pages.

Our initial contact person went on maternity leave, but she was replaced by someone who is equally good. She’s responsive to what we need and flexible in working with us, especially if we have to turn something around quickly for a business meeting. She does a good job of harnessing their internal resources to put together whatever is required.

One of the things I love about Straight North is that they’re not hierarchical and it’s easy to communicate with them. They don’t have the overhead of a large agency.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Straight North was responsive during our journey from where we started to where we are today, and they’re honest and open about their limitations. We’ve had a few international expansions, which is a bit of a deficiency for Straight North, as they haven’t worked with other languages, especially European ones. I appreciate the fact that they’re open and honest about it.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would love to continue working with them for international regions as well. Straight North should develop competency in foreign languages like French, German, and U.K. English. That would exempt us from working with multiple agencies.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

It’s important to define expectations and communicate them with a regular cadence so that there won’t be unexpected surprises.